Astronomy 404
Lecture 12, Sept. 23 Fall 2019

Lecture Notes: pdf file

The Virial Theorem and Stellar Structure

  • derivation from hydrostatic equilibrium
  • application I: mean stellar temperature
  • application II: total stellar energy

The Virial Theorem and Stellar Evolution

  • requirement to maintain equilibrium: fuel source
  • transitions between equilibrium states
  • stability: non-relativistic ideal gas
  • stability: relativistic gas

Stellar Energy Sources

How Does the Sun Shine?

  • inventory of stellar energy reserviors
  • ranking via energy conservation
star size comparison

Lecture Archive


Brian D. Fields